Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/232

The court broke up with great rejoicing over Antonio, and in the midst of it Bassanio advanced to thank the young Doctor of Laws for the great service he had rendered him in this judgment of the case. He pressed upon him money for his legal aid, but the doctor graciously refused all reward. Bassanio then urged him to accept some remembrance in token of his great gratitude, on which the doctor fixed upon a certain ring Bassanio wore upon his hand. Now this ring was one which Portia had herself placed on Bassanio’s finger, on the day he had chosen the leaden casket, adjuring him never to part with it, and telling him if he lost or gave it away she should accept it as a presage of misfortune to their love. Bassanio, in much confusion, denied him this ring, and was grieved to see the doctor depart, much offended at being refused such a trifle. When he and the young clerk were fairly out of sight, therefore, Bassanio felt unable to appear so ungrateful in the eyes of the doctor, and sent Gratiano after them with the ring, preferring rather to test his wife’s faith in him, than to offend the savior of Antonio’s life. Gratiano overtook the pretended doctor and delivered up the ring, whereupon the lawyer’s clerk contrived to tease from him a ring which Nerissa, who copied well all her mistress’s doings, had placed upon her husband’s hand with similar injunctions